When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0727

Miranda turned her head and met Sam’s deeply affectionate gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively wanted to flee.

The night Miranda had been in trouble, Sam realized he could no longer sit idly by as he watched her get upstairs with Paul’s help

He had never considered himself a patient man, but he had waited six years for Miranda. He waited until she and Hansel parted ways and then spent another year building a relationship that lingered on the edge of ordinary friendship.

But they couldn’t stay just friends forever.

That nig

night, he understood that waiting any longer would only lead to the same heartbreak. He had to act decisively, to go all in.

Sam had spent weeks preparing for this confession. He didn’t want to remain in the shadows, quietly watching and waiting anymore. He wanted to stand openly by her side, to hold her close without hesitation, to kiss her without restraint.

He wanted her, and he was crystal clear about it.

As the fireworks faded and the night returned to its stillness, a faint scent of gunpowder lingered in the air. Sam turned to her, his gaze unwavering.

“Miranda, I lo-”

A sudden ringtone shattered the perfect moment. The atmosphere froze in an instant.

Sam frowned and pulled out his phone, intending to silence it. But when he saw the name “Grandma” on the screen, his hand paused mid–motion.

Fiona rarely called him, especially this late, unless it was something truly urgent. The last time she had, she’d been gasping for breath and barely able to stand with her life hanging by a thread.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sam quickly answered. “Sorry, I need to take this.”

Miranda exhaled in relief, the tension in her body easing like a taut string being cut. “Of course, go ahead. It should be important. Take your time.”

She hoped the call would last long enough for him to forget about the confession he had just started.

“Grandma, what’s wrong?”

“Sam, Sam!” Fiona’s voice came through, choked with sobs and ragged breaths.

His chest tightened with fear. “What happened? Are you feeling unwell? Is Grandpa with you? What about the caregiver?”

Her response was incoherent, a mix of quiet weeping and stifled gasps. But then the sobs grew louder and heavier until they turned into full–blown cries of anguish and relief.

“Sam Sam..”

He felt his heart race. “Slow down! Please don’t get too worked up. I’ll call an ambulance right now!”

“No… no…” Fiona repeated between sobs. “We found her. We’ve finally found her. After all these years, heaven

has shown us mercy…”

Sam was utterly confused. “Found who? What are you talking about?”

“Fiona, let me take the phone,” another voice said. It was his grandfather, Aren.

Sam immediately recognized the tremble in Aren’s tone the barely contained excitement. Hearing Aren’s voice calmed him slightly. At least Fiona wasn’t in physical danger if Aren was with her.

Then what on earth could have caused such a strong reaction from both of them?

“Sam.”

“I’m here, Grandpa. Tell me what’s going on.”

Aren took a deep breath, struggling to contain his emotions. “We found your Aunt Minnie. After 30 years, Sam -30 years of searching! We’ve finally found her.”

Sam froze, stunned into silence. Then, as the words sank in, a surge of joy swept over him. “You really found her? Are you sure?” Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Yes! Your grandmother and I are absolutely certain it’s her. She’s in Lumberville right now!”